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(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1. J. BRAUN 81; H. DECK. TONGUE ATTACHMENTFOR LAWN MOWERS.

No. 456,472. Patented July 21, 1891.

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2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

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J BRAUN &- H. DECK. TONGUE ATTACHMENT FOR LAWN MOWERS. N 456,472.Patented Jul 21, 1891.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOI-l N BRAUN AND HENRY DECK, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNORSTO JOHN BRAUN & SONS, OF SAME PLACE.

TONGUE ATTACHMENT FOR LAWN-MOWERS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 456,472, dated July 21,1891.

Application filed January 1'7, 1891. Serial No. 378,107. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that we, JOHN BRAUN and HENRY DECK, citizens of the UnitedStates, both residing in the city and county of Philadelphia, State ofPennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in TongueAttachments for Lawn-Mowers, which improvement is fully set forth in thefollowing specification and accompanying drawings.

Our invention relates to improvements in lawn-mowers; and it consists ofa novel tongue attachment, substantially as hereinafter described.

Figure 1 represents a perspective view of a portion of a lawn-mowerembodying our i11- vention. Fig. 2 represents a longitudinal sectionalview of the same on an enlarged scale, the dotted lines showing theposition of the parts when an obstacle is encountered by therunning-gear. Fig. 3 represents a view on a larger scale of a portion ofthe section shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 represents a horizontal sectionalview on line 00 m, Fig.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the severalfigures.

Referring to the drawings, A designates a portion of a lawn-n1ower ofany well-known construction, having the axle B, with the running wheelsC. Mounted on the axle B are the arms D, which project upward andforward and have fastened thereon the cross-bar E. Attached to the saidcross-bar by a bolt lis a bracket F, to the ears G of which is securedthe socket-piece H by means of the bolt J.

The said socket-piece is provided with a throat or tapering opening K,in which is pivotally secured the tongue L, to the front of which ispivotally attached the singletree M. The slotted or bifurcated end ofthe tongue in which the singletree is secured is provided with acovering-plate Q, which acts as a stop, limiting the swing or play ofthe said singletree.

The pivotal connection of the tongue with the socket-piece permits alateral movement of the said tongue, while the bolt-connection of thebracket and socket-piece allows a rising and falling of said latter withthe tongue, so that a universal-joint movement of the tongue isobtained. The said tongue and singletree are shown in different lateralpositions in dotted lines, Fig. 1, and in a different vertical positionin dotted lines, Fig. 2.

The socket-piece is provided witha depending lug N, which ordinarilybears against the front edge of the bracket; but in case of an obstaclebeing encountered by the runninggearing, such as a stone, (shown at S,Fig. 2,) the fulcrum is changed to the stone, whereby the cross-bar E isdrawn forward and lowered, so that the front edge thereof is no longerin contact with the depending lug \l. The wheels are drawn upward andover the stone, the knife-cylinder, which is in the rear of the axle,being also raised, so as to avoid striking or coming in contact with thestone or other obstacle while passing over the same.

The arms D are secured in position on the axle B by means of the screwsR, which pass through openings in collars or bosses on the same and bearagainst the said axle. The bracket F is also adjustably secured on thecross-bar E by means of openings in said cross-bar and bracket and thebolt H. It will be seen that by means of this adjustment the position ofthe bracket relative to the longitudinal center line of the device canbe moved, so that the horse or animal drawing the device may travel nearor on the one side of the path which is being mowed.

By having the arms D and the universal joint formed as set forth thetraction is always direct upon the axle, and the tendency of the draw orpull is to raise the rear portions of the device from the ground, sothat they will lightly pass over the same.

Owing to the arms D being loosely mounted on the axle, so as to turnthereon, the same may be raised or lowered, thereby raising or loweringthe crossbar E, and thus adjusting the same to the height of diiferentanimals drawing the same.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is V 1. A tongue attachment for lawn-mowers,&c., consisting of arms adapted to be secured to the axle of the mower,a cross-bar connect- W bracket, and a tongue hinged to the socket- 5piece so as to have lateral play, said parts being combinedsubstantially as described.

A bracket with ears thereon, a socket piece secured to said cars by abolt and havin g a tapering throat, a tongue secured to and movable insaid throat, and a bolt connecting tongue and socket-piece, the saidbolts being substantially at right angles to each other, said partsbeing combined substantially as described.

4:. A lawn-mower-tongue attachment consisting of arms adapted to be adjustably secured on the axle of the mower, so as to extend upward andforward therefrom, a crossbar secured to said arms and having a seriesof openings therein, a bracket adj ustably secured on said bar, asocket-piece hinged to said bracket and having a depending lug adaptedto abut against the same, and a tongue pivoted to said socket-piece soas to have a movement at right angles to the direction of movement ofthe socket-piece, said parts be-- ing combined substantially asdescribed.

JOHN BRAUN. HENRY DECK. Vitn esses:

JOHN A. WIEDERSHEIM, A. P. JENNINGS.

